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Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine Reaches Enrollment Goal

by
Mark Apple | Jun 04, 2013

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) has reached the enrollment limit established by its accrediting bodies. The university has received deposits toward tuition from 162 applicants who have been offered admission.

“The applicant pool for admission was large and talented, which is indicative of the need for this program,” President Elsener said. “It was always just a matter of time before we met our enrollment goal. Now, we can begin educating the next generation of doctors.”

When the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine opens its doors this summer, it will be the first medical school to do so in Indiana in more than 100 years. Currently, Indiana University operates the only medical school in the state. That poses an issue for the state’s growing health care industry. Nationally, the shortfall of family doctors, pediatricians and other generalists is expected to reach 52,000 by 2025.

“Baby boomers are retiring from the healthcare industry in record numbers,” according to Paul Evans, D.O., dean of the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. “Simultaneously, those same baby boomers’ health care requirements are increasing. It’s creating a shortage of doctors, nurses, and other health care providers that our nation has never before experienced.”

Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of only five medical schools at a Catholic university nationally, and the only osteopathic medical school at a Catholic university nationally. Students will attend classes at the new Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences building on the Marian University campus. Construction on the facility is expected to be completed by July 1, 2013 and classes begin with the fall semester.

“Dr. Paul Evans, dean of the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his team truly deserve to be commended for their hard work in helping us reach this milestone,” President Elsener said. “Their contributions, along with those of our Board of Trustees, donors, and community partners, will improve the health care landscape in Indiana and across the nation for years to come.”

In addition to the 162 applicants with deposits, there is a large waiting list of outstanding applicants for this year’s class.

The university plans a celebratory White Coat Ceremony at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis on August 11, 2013. The White Coat Ceremony is a ritual marking a student’s entry into the health care field. Physicians and other health professionals have traditionally worn white coats for more than 100 years.